The woman went a little heavy on the sickly-sweet perfume and the fellow stunk of some freshly smoked something-you-shouldn’t-smokebecause

Not a scent-sational combination for those standing nearby.

The pair were just ahead of me in a long, Saturday afternoon line-up at Sunterra’s Market Bar (the MacLeod Tr. location) where the energy was frenetic, the clatter and chatter a bit overwhelming. It was also a tad confusing. A sign suggested people “order here,” but cooks rushing about preparing meals were not poised to punch in brunch purchases. “Is this where you order?” The man, who looked like a deer in the headlights posed that question to anyone who would offer an answer.

Most of us quickly figured out that further down the open kitchen counter there were people ready and willing to take orders.

But none were afforded much time to do so.

Instead, staff were incredibly slammed and simply wanted to rush orders through. Minutes later a woman panicked at a self-serve utensil stand, saying “I can’t eat without silver cutlery,” while I waited at a table for my meal to arrive.

I took the chance on the breakfast wrap, which came with a bowl of fruit and fresh baby potatoes, freshly squeezed orange juice (which was amazing) and could not resist the carrot ginger soup.

Despite the slightly frantic start to it all, Sunterra delivered one of the best brunches I’ve hhad in a very long time.

ThThe soup was so delicious that whenw I couldn’t fit it all in the belly I asked for a take-out dish to pack up the last three spoonfuls to savour later.

The breakfast wrap was packed with a scrambled egg concoction. I added tomatoes and sour cream and it all proved far from bland.

And the orange juice was, as it would be anywhere, a tad pricey but worth every penny.

To make it an almost perfect outing, the rush died down shortly after my meal made it to my table.

It made you forget all the push-and-shove and fuss to get the meal.

The chefs stood back while pleased patrons (if their meals were as good as mine) sat back and savoured their creations.

Sunterra’s Market Bar is a bit cafeteria-like during brunch, but the food is so fantastic it’s worth the side of controlled chaos.

Situated on the third floor, it is sunny, clean and there is a patio for when and if the weather in Calgary ever warms up.

There is also a section where things are a little more fancy — rounded, comfy booths and white-linen-on-the-table kind of fancy — where a few days earlier co-worker Katie and I stopped in for an afterwork treat.

My salad (berry and goat cheese spinach salad with tons of fruit, candied pecans and chipotle dressing for $9) was amazing and enough for two to share while the wine (an Argentina Malbec under $7,) and service by a friendly and efficient Akiko were fantastic.

As for brunch, my breakfast wrap was an unbelievably affordable $5.99, the orange juice $3.29 and the memorable bowl of the carrot ginger soup just $3.59.

As Advertised in the Calgary SUN

Brunch ... with a side of chaos

The woman went a little heavy on the sickly-sweet perfume and the fellow stunk of some freshly smoked something-you-shouldn’t-smokebecause

Not a scent-sational combination for those standing nearby.

The pair were just ahead of me in a long, Saturday afternoon line-up at Sunterra’s Market Bar (the MacLeod Tr. location) where the energy was frenetic, the clatter and chatter a bit overwhelming. It was also a tad confusing. A sign suggested people “order here,” but cooks rushing about preparing meals were not poised to punch in brunch purchases. “Is this where you order?” The man, who looked like a deer in the headlights posed that question to anyone who would offer an answer.

Most of us quickly figured out that further down the open kitchen counter there were people ready and willing to take orders.